Bira welcomes Government's winter plan

Bira has welcomed the Government's winter plan to manage the risk of coronavirus.

The Government's 'Plan A' is to build on the progress made in the fight against Covid-19 while maintaining a predominantly 'normal' lifestyle for most, and protecting the NHS from becoming overwhelmed.

It includes

• Building our defences through pharmaceutical interventions: vaccines, antivirals and disease modifying therapeutics.
• Identifying and isolating positive cases to limit transmission: Test, Trace and Isolate.
• Supporting the NHS and social care: managing pressures and recovering services.
• Advising people on how to protect themselves and others: clear guidance and communications. e. Pursuing an international approach: helping to vaccinate the world and managing risks at the border.

Andrew Goodacre: "We welcome this winter plan. The Government has implemented a great vaccine programme and we hope that this works in limiting the impact of Covid on independent retail businesses.

"None of us want to see another lockdown as we approach the busiest time of the year for retail. As we have done throughout the pandemic, Bira will be encouraging members to take actions to restrict the spread of the virus by having hand sanitisers available, encouraging social distancing and keeping shops ventilated.

"We expect the Government to have further contingency plans to avoid a lockdown should the pressure on the NHS increase significantly."

Read the full autumn/winter plan here

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